¡§HE
THAT DIES PAYS ALL DEBTS¡¨--
ARMORED APPEARANCES
AND VEILED REALITIES IN CONRAD'S VICTORY
Abstract
¡@
Sister Heliena
M. Krenn, SSpS
¡@
Chung-Wai Literary Monthly
23.5 (1994): 35-45.
Victory presents a contest
of minds and philosophies and since headgear symbolizes what goes on inside
the head, different items of headwear serves clues to the course the mental
contest takes. Originally Mr. Jones, Rocardo, Heyst, and through him Lena
are featured in ¡§cork helmets,¡¨ which are symbolically
suggestive of power, martial prowess, and lofty thoughts, whereas Pedro,
Morrison, and Captain Davidson wear ¡§hats.¡¨ With
the arrival of Mr. Jones, the woman hater, is betrayed by Ricardo, who
hides from him the knowledge of Lena¡¥s presence on the island,
and Heyst has to confess that he is a ¡§dismissed¡¨
man in every way as his philosophy of universal scorn fails him. Subsequently
these men¡¦s headgear is referred to as ¡§hats¡¨
and no further mention is made of hamlets.
At this point a purple veil
is mentioned that, according to Heyst, is to ensure Lena's safety. From
the beginning of their acquaintance, numerous examples of Heyst's sensation
that Lena is "veiled" to his comprehension establish the character of the
veil as symbolizing qualities in woman that evade the understanding of
man. The purple color increases this symbolic effect and Lena's gesture
of holding the veil in her hands expresses her determination to rely on
those qualities in coping with the dangers of the presence of Mr. Jones
and his companions. In doing so she brings about a confrontation of all
male characters with the truths of their situation. Lena is also called
Alma and Magdalen. These names and the veil symbol establish her representative
function which gains in significance when seen within the historical context
of the composition of this novel which shows women in England fighting
for the right to vote.
<BACK>